עִבְרִית בִּתְּנוּעָהHEBREW THROUGH MOVEMENT

Shalom and
welcome to עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה, or “Hebrew through
Movement,” a language
acquisition strategy in which students learn Hebrew by hearing and responding
to Hebrew commands.עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה is an adaptation of James J. Asher’s Total Physical Response
(TPR).[1]While TPR was designed by Asher as the
foundation of a full language program, it has also been effective in situations
with limited language goals.Hebrew TPR
has been used in Jewish day schools, camps and supplementary schools, but
generally with the goal of introducing Hebrew as a modern, spoken language.This curriculum guide for עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָה starts with a foundation in modern, spoken Hebrew but has as
its goal making the prayers in our siddur, as well as synagogue and
Jewish vocabulary, more easily accessible to those with limited learning time.

This version
of TPR for Jewish part-time Jewish educational settings was developed by
faculty at Siegal College of Judaic Studies through courses and community
workshops.As with other TPR curricula, it introduces Hebrew in a playful and
meaningful way, creating a positive first link between children and
Hebrew.עִבְרִית
בִּתְנוּעָה
is supported by the latest brain research on learning, providing an aural
foundation for Hebrew that opens the door to more facile Hebrew decoding and
reading.עִבְרִית בִּתְנוּעָהis
based on ways that children learn naturally:They learn by moving about and doing.They
learn in an environment of positive emotional support.They
learn when they feel safe from the embarrassment of not knowing.They
learn when they can move forward at their own pace.They
learn best when learning is joyful and playful.They
learn through songs, chants and rhythmic activities.

This
curriculum is a guide and not a recipe or blueprint because TPR works best when
it is responsive to specific individuals, groups and settings.Educators working at schools, camps or other
part-time educational settings are encouraged to select or adapt units that are
right for them -- this is what makes TPR most effective.

We hope you
will enjoy using this guide and will be pleased with how happily and
productively your children learn.
_____________________________[1]Detailed information on the
program can be found on Asher’s TPR website (http://www.tpr-world.com/) and in the classic TPR manual
authored by Asher: Learning Another Language Through Actions, 7th
edition. Los Gatos, CA : Sky Oaks Productions,
2009. Bina Guerrieri, a former staff member of the BJE of San Francisco, was one of the pioneers in adapting TPR to Jewish settings.

An ONLINE LEARNING SEMINARfor teachers interested in teaching Hebrew Through Movement has now launched! Ten hours of interesting, engaging and hands-on learning will provide the basic skills and understandings for YOU to be ready to integrate TPR in your class this fall. This is asynchronous learning - participants set their own pace, based on their personal schedules.

To register, click the REGISTRATION tab on the far right, at the top of this page.

A director says....

"We started using Hebrew TPR in our Hebrew School this year and it has TRANSFORMED our school. The children LOVE it and they continue using the words and actions from TPR in their regular classrooms. Parents have told me that the kids are even using the TPR Hebrew at home!!! Last night, a mom asked her son to sit down at the dinner table and he replied, "Lo lashevet!!!" ("don't sit down!"). When the students see the TPR teacher in the hallways, they immediately ask her, "Are we going to have TPR today?" The students love getting up and moving around while they are learning. I am going to expand the program into Kindergarten through 2nd grade next year so that the children will have a solid base of Hebrew words before they begin their formal Hebrew School classes in 3rd grade. Hebrew TPR has made a huge difference in the quality of our Hebrew program. I recommend that every school begin a TPR program!!"Ellen FoxTemple Solel School DirectorCardiff, CA

Around the World: Checking out Hebrew through Movement

"Hebrew Through Movement" was developed by Dr. Lifsa Schachter, Professor Emeritus, Siegal College

with the support of Nili Adler, Marcia Anouchi and Gloria Grischkan, and the Hebrew teaching staff of The Temple - Tifereth Israel & Temple Emanu El, Cleveland, OH. It is based on Dr. James J Asher's Total Physical Response (TPR), as well as the work of Bina Guerrieri who was one of the pioneers in applying TPR to the teaching of Hebrew.JECC Editors: Nachama Skolnik Moskowitz, Curriculum DirectorRonna Fox, Teacher Center DirectorPaula Sass, Intern

http://HebrewThroughMovement.org is a project of the Jewish Education Center of Cleveland